**Executive Summary**
On May 14, 2026, Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan inaugurated the PMFME Mahotsav in Leh to showcase local entrepreneurship and strengthen market linkages for micro food processing enterprises. The event included an exhibition of regional products and a review meeting focused on transitioning Ladakh’s agricultural sector from production to value creation. Key priorities identified include the global promotion of sea buckthorn and apricot, the establishment of irradiation units, and the frequent organization of buyer-seller meets.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Objectives and Organization**
* The exhibition was organized to spotlight local entrepreneurs under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
* The event was a joint initiative by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Administration of Ladakh.
* The primary goals were to enhance scheme awareness, showcase beneficiary products, and build stronger market connections for regional micro-enterprises.
**Strategic Shift to Value Creation**
* The Minister emphasized a policy shift since 2014 from a focus on mere agricultural production to "value creation" within the food processing sector.
* Ladakh is identified as having significant untapped potential that requires concerted efforts to be brought into the mainstream economy.
**Regional Product Focus and Global Ambition**
* Sea buckthorn and apricot were highlighted as unique produces of Ladakh with the potential to compete on a global stage.
* Optimal resource investment is required to elevate these specific products to international market standards.
**Modernization and Infrastructure**
* Irradiation units are being established across the country through joint efforts of Central and state governments to remove existing bottlenecks in the food supply chain.
* There is a stated need for more frequent buyer-seller meets to bridge the gap between local producers and markets.
* Stakeholders are encouraged to associate with the "World Food India" initiative to gain exposure and experience.
**Impact Analysis**
**Micro Food Processing Entrepreneurs (PMFME Beneficiaries)**
**Impact**
They receive increased visibility for their products and improved access to market linkages and success-story sharing platforms.
**Action Required**
Continue to scale endeavors, participate in future buyer-seller meets, and seek association with the World Food India platform.
**UT Administration of Ladakh**
**Impact**
The administration is tasked with a larger role in mainstreaming the local food processing sector and managing regional resource investment.
**Action Required**
Focus efforts and resources on the development of sea buckthorn and apricot value chains and collaborate with the Central government on modernization projects like irradiation units.
**Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI)**
**Impact**
The Ministry is responsible for overseeing the modernization of the sector and ensuring the success of the PMFME scheme in remote regions.
**Action Required**
Increase the frequency of organized buyer-seller meets and continue the joint establishment of irradiation units to resolve logistical bottlenecks.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme: A central scheme aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI): The primary central ministry responsible for organizing the event and overseeing the implementation of food processing policies and schemes in India.
Ladakh: The Union Territory where the review meeting and PMFME Mahotsav were held, identified as having high potential for value creation in products like sea buckthorn and apricot.
World Food India: A global food initiative and platform referenced as a key opportunity for food processing sectors to gain international exposure and market linkages.
Shri Chirag Paswan: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries who inaugurated the exhibition and presided over the review of the food processing sector's progress.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag
Paswan inaugurates PMFME Mahotsav in Leh,
presides over review meeting
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 5:47PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan today inaugurated an exhibition under
the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme in Leh.
The aim of the exhibition was to showcase the products crafted by PMFME scheme beneficiaries
spotlighting local entrepreneurship, enhancing scheme awareness and strengthening market linkages for
micro food processing enterprises in the region. The exhibition was held at the DC Office Complex in Leh
and was jointly organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and the Department of
Industries and Commerce, UT Administration of Ladakh.
Shri Paswan visited the stalls set up at the exhibition and interacted with the beneficiaries. He listened
with keen interest to their success stories and encouraged all to keep going and achieve further success in
their endeavors.
Chairing the review meeting, the Minister remarked that Ladakh has a lot of potential when it comes to the
food processing sector and concerted efforts need to be made to bring it to the mainstream.
Shri Paswan said that till not so long ago, the focus of the agricultural sector was on production and
unfortunately not much thought was given to value creation. He said that since Prime Minister Narendra
Modi came to power in 2014, he dedicated his efforts towards producing value for the food processing
sector and the results are there for all to see.
Referring to the unique produces of Ladakh such as sea buckthorn and apricot, the Minister said that these
two products have the potential to make a mark on the global stage and we need to put in efforts and
invest our resources to the optimal level to make this dream come true.
The Minister also made a mention of the World Food India initiative and said that all sectors associated
with food processing should try to get associated with such a platform and gain from this experience.
Shri Paswan said that as part of the modernization process, irradiation units are being set up across the
country through joint efforts of the Central and state governments and more such efforts are needed in the
future to remove bottlenecks that are being experienced at present. He also highlighted the importance of
buyer-seller meets and said that such events should be organized with greater frequency in the future.
Earlier during the meeting, the Minister was given a detailed overview of the food processing sector in
Ladakh by Shri Bhubesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce Ladakh and Shri
Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Director Industries and Commerce, Ladakh.
Shri D Praveen, Joint Secretary MOFPI and other senior dignitaries of the Ministry were also present
during the meeting. The UT Administration was represented by DC Leh Shri Romil Singh Donk and other
senior officials.*****
CMC -MoFPI
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